Wheaton group home plan moves forward

The plan calls for two structures that would be linked by a common courtyard

November 06, 2012|By Michelle Manchir, Chicago Tribune reporter

The plan for a group home for individuals with developmental disabilities will move forward after Wheaton’s city council approved it, despite some outspoken concerns from residents who live near the proposed site. (Handout)

The plan for a group home for individuals with developmental disabilities will move forward after Wheaton's city council approved it, despite some outspoken concerns from residents who live near the proposed site.

The nonprofit STARS Family Services, which already operates a five-person group care home on Wheaton's north side, has plans to construct a new home on vacant land on the southeast corner of Cross Street and Union Avenue.

The plan calls for two structures that would be linked by a common courtyard, each with six private bedrooms with shared bathrooms, a shared kitchen and a great room. Each house would also include boarding for a couple who would live in the home and who would supervise the residents overnight. A staff person would also be present during the day.

On Monday night, the city council voted 6-0 to allow the group to move forward with building one of the homes and the courtyard. To move forward with the other home, the nonprofit will have to seek another license from the city's group care home commission.

A handful of neighbors with concerns about the scope for the project and the potential increase in traffic it might bring to the neighborhood, among other concerns, asked council to revise the plans to narrow the scope to one home on the lot, like the group care model used at STARS' other site in Wheaton, the Washington House.

Carla Lovett, who said she lives near the proposed project site, said while she supports the group's mission to serve individuals with disabilities, but took issue with the number of city zoning codes the project violated.

"There was not simply one violation, but there were many," Lovett said.

But city officials said the plan fit in with city requirements, and, earlier this year, the plan received unanimous support from the city's planning and zoning board.

While every council member supported the plan, some expressed a need to update the city's zoning code to make it more clear for future projects.

"We have a disconnect in our zoning ordinance," said councilwoman Jeanne Ives. "…To me it's very inconsistent and a little bit subjective."

Ray Chase, president of STARS family services who is also a Wheaton resident, told the council Monday the group serves about 110 families in Wheaton and surrounding communities.

"I think many people are unaware of the large population of disabled adults who live with their aging parents," he said. "...The need for small supportive living arrangements is upon us."